The small but highly specialised team at Hogan Lovells International LLP is 'precise, pragmatic, solution-oriented'. London is the hub of the firm's global trade finance practice, and its key partners are regarded as market leaders Banking partner Andrew Taylor, who is 'very practical and has a deep understanding of our products and structures', and David Leggott, whose work covers the financing of a diverse range of commodities such as oil, steel, zinc, copper, soybeans, coffee, sugar tobacco, and cocoa, are the standout practitioners, supported by four dedicated trade finance lawyers. The firm has particularly strong relationships with DFIs and global investment banks, though it also has a strong presence on the borrower side acting for commodity trading houses and major corporates. The firm is also key adviser to export credit agencies and government bodies, providing advisory services and transactional support on complex deals in emerging markets. Its work encompasses the oil and gas, metals and agri-commodities markets, as well as the full range of major structured product types, including pre-export finance, limited recourse prepayment structures, borrowing base financings and reserve-based lending.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has provided truly outstanding service. Precise, pragmatic, solution-oriented while remaining conscious of time and budget. ’
‘David Leggott, Oliver Travers, Sidrah Shah are recommended - easy access, good combination of expertise, real teamwork.’
'The two unique strengths of the Hogan Lovells team are (a) their responsiveness and (b) their deep understanding of our business, what our goals are and how we work. They are extremely commercial - solutions are never offered unless they will work from a practical perspective, which I find particularly valuable.'
'More than any of the other firms we work with, working with Hogan Lovells feels very collaborative. It feels as though they care as much as we do about our business and that really comes across in the service they deliver..'
'Simon Cowell has been exceptional. He is incredibly responsive, gives sound, practical advice and is commercial. He understands our products which means the service he delivers is tailored to our needs.'
'Andrew Taylor is a pleasure to deal with. He is also very practical and has a deep understanding of our products and structures. I know that if I ask Andrew a question, we're in very safe hands. He is a pleasure to deal with and his market knowledge has been extremely useful for us.'
Key clients
- African Export-Import Bank
- Taulia Inc.
- UK Export Finance
- Deutsche Bank
- European Investment Bank (EIB)
- Citibank
- Credit Agricole Leasing & Financing
- ING Bank
- Proparco
- International Finance Corporation (IFC)
- Natixis
- Société Générale
- British International Investment (BII)
- European Commission
- FMO
- The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB)
Work highlights
- Advising Taulia Inc. on setting up its innovative supply chain financing platform using an Luxembourg securitisation vehicle where securities are issued to purchase receivables supported by irrevocable payment undertakings issued by buyers.
- Advising TDB on a US$30,000,000 securitization based facility to develop affordable, solar-powered energy in Tanzania.
- Advising the European Commission on its multi-year, multi-deal, EFSD and EFSD+ guarantee programmes involving developing and negotiating master guarantee issuance facilities granted to national and multilateral development financial institutions to support lending and investment in the whole of the developing world.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andrew Taylor, David Leggott